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Pinkerton Academy's Mackenzie House, across the street from the Alumni Building, is undergoing extensive renovation work. New Headmaster Griffin Morse plans to move into the house with his family by mid-September, according to administrators. (HUNTER McGEE/Union Leader Correspondent)

Pinkerton prepares for headmaster to live on campus

By HUNTER McGEEUnion Leader Correspondent

DERRY — The building where new Pinkerton Academy Headmaster Griffin Morse will live, the Mackenzie House, is undergoing extensive renovation, according to administrators.

Workers are also busy preparing the historic Pinkerton Building so Morse’s office can be relocated there from the Stearns House, said Chip Underhill, executive director of public relations and external affairs.

Morse took over as headmaster last month, replacing Mary Anderson, who retired after 12 years at the high school.

The new headmaster has decided to live in the Mackenzie House, while relocating his office to the Pinkerton Building.“As part of my hiring, discussion started immediately about being a more visible and student-focused headmaster — and that’s my style, and that’s what I requested,” he said earlier this month.

Morse and his staff are currently working out of an office in the Stearns House, where the previous two headmasters had their offices. The Pinkerton Building was selected as the site for his office because of its proximity to students and historical significance, he said.

“So in a sense we are going back in time and we are going back to a different era,” he said, adding that he is “very excited about the move.”

The new headmaster will call Room 14 in the building his office, Anne Parker, director of alumni relations, said Thursday.

Morse plans to live with his family in the Mackenzie House, which is across from the school’s main grounds, on Pinkerton Street.

The small house is located below the historic Alumni Building.

The house used to be occupied by long-time headmaster Ivah Hackler and his family until around 1974, Parker said. In the recent past, the Mackenzie House was used for in-school suspension, she said.

The building, which is school property, hasn’t been renovated in many years. Pinkerton is paying for the work, she said.

Morse is expected to move into the residence in mid-September, Parker said.